Antiaircraft shell insert



Feb. 8, 1944. D. H. FRIEND 2,341,212

ANTIAVIRCR'AFT SHELL INSERT filed Feb.v 5, 1941 M TM- BB vglgmg Patented Feb. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENTr OFFICE ANTIAIRCRAFT SHELL INSERT David n. Friend, cleveland, ohio Application February 5, 1941,'Serial-No. 377,562

(c1. 1oz-63) 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to explosive projectiles or shells of the type particularly adapted for antiaircraft use.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an insert adapted to be assembled within the present type of shrapnel shell without the necessity of remodelling or changingthe structure of the shell.

Another object is the provision of a novel insert which may be manufactured and assembled in the conventional shrapnel shell as a single unit with a resulting saving in time and labor.

A further object is to provide a novel shrapnel insert adapted to fit the present type of bursting or shrapnel shell so that the present type of shrapnel could be removed from the shell and readily replaced by the single insert.

A further object of the invention is to insure efcient concentric relationship of parts and proper balance and weight of the projectile relatively to the propelling charge.

A still further object is the provision of a simply constructed, compact, single shrapnel unit having a tubular member encasing a pair of plugs connected together by a flexible cable, these parts being adapted to be propelled forward upon the explosion of the shell.

These and other objects and advantages 4will be apparent as the specification is considered with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a present type shrapnel shell with my improved single insert assembled therein; and

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure l.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein similar reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral I represents a steel casing forming the shell, which is of cylindrical form to t the bore of an anti-aircraft gun, or the like. The shell is adapted to be projected from the bore in the usual manner, in a rotary movement caused by the riing in the bore of the gun. The shell is provided with a closed end 2 and an upper end 3 which is internally threaded, as at 4, to receive a threaded tapered nose cap 5. Arranged within the shell casing I is a hollow central chamber 6 and an explosion chamber 1, at the rear end thereof, containing the explosive charge 8. The chamber 'I is closed by a plug 9.

A shrapnel insert, assembled as a self-contained unit within the hollow central chamber B, consists of a pair of preferably metal ringshaped plugs or inserts I having bores II QX- tending therethrough to permit of the same being slidably sleeved over opposite ends of a relatively thin, elongated tube I2, of metal or other suitable material, which is in turn sleeved over an lelongated powder tube I3,` threadedly connected at opposite ends to the powder chamber plug 9 and the nose cap 5, as at I4. The opposite ends of a spirally wound, lmetal cable I5 are suitably rconnected, as at I6, tothe pair of metal ring shaped plugs I0, and the plugs and cable are preferably encased by a thin, tubular` shell or casing I1 of some flimsy frangible material, such als thin metal, plastic or paper, which engages the wall of the central chamber 6. The Cable -I5 is so wound and arranged thatit lhas a tendency'to expand and to hug the casing II. The space between the spirally wound cable I5 and the tube I2 is filled with a plurality of metal balls or shrapnel I9, suitably distributed in preferably plastic resin or other suitable filler I8. The coml pactly wound cable serves to enclose the ller and the latter sets and prevents or limits the outward movement of the cable. It will thus be noted that the metal plugs I0, tube I2, cable I5, balls I9, without l(,he casing I1 constitute a single,

self-contained insert 'or unit for insertion inorY removal from the present type shrapnel shell I`.

When the shell I is fired from the gun and the same reaches a predetermined height, the explosive 8 is ignited by a timing fuse, in the usual manner, not shown. This explosion of the powder ruptures the flimsy metal or plastic casing I'I and forces the` plug 9 forwardly, which in turn forces the metal ring-shaped plugs I0, tube I2, cable I5 and balls I9 forwardly and outwardly through the shell. When the shell bursts and is disintegrated, the powder tube I3 and the tube I2 are fractured thereby freeing the plugs Ill, cable I5 and balls I9. As the shell I is projected from a gun, in the usual manner, the rifling of the gun causes the shell to rotate. Thus, when the shell is exploded and the plugs, cable and balls are propelled therefrom, the latter travel outwardly by centrifugal force so that the cable I5 is unwound and the balls I9 are sprayed outwardly in different directions. will be understood that the flying balls, plugs and cable cover a Very large area and, upon coming in contact with a plane, they will damage the same, and the cable will have a tendency to become entangled in the propeller or some other vital part of the plane to cripple the same. If desired, the metal balls I 9 may be eliminated and only the spirally woimd cable I5 used in the insert.

Therefore, it

By arranging the metal plugs I0, tube I2, cable I5 and balls within the thin casing I'I to form a single, self contained compact insert or unit, the latter is adapted to be manufactured and/or assembled independently of the shell. The insert is made to t the present type of bursting or shrapnel shell without any alteration of the shell casing. In other words, the charge or shrapnel in the present type shrapnel shell may be removed and my insert placed in position. It will thus be seen Athat my yshrapnel insert is interchangeable with the present type of shrapnel shell, which is a very desirable feature from a simplicity and production standpoint.

As previously stated herein concentricity plays an important part in the functioning of a projectile. Where a member such as the cable I5 is fired from a gun, and forcedfro-m a Shell underv centrifugal action, the cable will retain a concentric position which will not throw the projectile out of balance and cause what is known as a wobbly or keyhole shot. According to the present construction, the cable being tight to the inner wall `of lthe shell will at all times be concentric to the axis of the shell and the weight can be regulated and distributed by suitably arranging the Vballsl Sin the resinous filler I8.

While I have shown the preferred form of shrapnel insert, it is to be understood that Various changes and improvements may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the lappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim is:

1. vIn combination with a. shell having a chamberecl body of a shrapnel insert comprising an elongated tube having a pair of annular plugs loosely sleeved thereon, a exible cable connecting said plugs, and .shrapnel means being inter posed .between said cable and tube, said cable being spirally wound in spaced relation to said elongated tube, and a substantially frangible casingsnugly sleeved Vwithin `the shell and enclosing said tube, plugs, cable and shrapnel means to form a unitary insert, Asaid cable adapted to .ex-

l pand into intimate contact with said frangible casing, said insert being adapted to be removably assembled in the chambered body of said shell.

2. In combination with a shell having a chambered body of a shrapnel insert comprising an elongatedhollow member of uniform diameter and having a pair of annular plugs slidably sleeved thereon, a flexible spirally wound cable connecting said plugs, and a plurality of shrapnel members being arranged inV said insert between the cable and hollow member, said cable being spirally wound in spaced relation to said hollow member, and a relatively thin, substantially frangible casing enclosing said tube, plugs, cable and shrapnel members to form a unitary, self-contained insert, said insert being adapted to be removably and snugly assembled in the chambered body of said shell.

3. In combination with a shell having a chambered body of a shrapnel insert comprising an elongated tube having a pair of ring-shaped plugs slidably sleeved on the end thereof, a exible cable connecting said plugs, and a plurality of balls being arranged in said insert between the cable and tube, said cable being spirally wound in spaced relation to said tube, and a relatively thin, frangible, cylindrical casing of ilimsy material enclosing said tube, plugs, cable and balls to form a unitary, self-contained insert, said insert being adapted to be snugly and removably assembled in the chambered body of said shell.

4. A shrapnel insert of 'thecharacter described comprising an elongated hollow member having a pair of ringfsha-ped metal plugs slidably sleeved on opposite ends thereof, a ilexible cable connecting said plugs, said cable 'being spirally wound in spaced relation to said tube to provide a space between said hollow member, said spirally wound cable and said plugs, .a plastic filler in the space between the convolutions of said cable and said hollow member and said plugs anda plurality of shrapnel members embedded in said filler and anchored together and to the convolutions rof said cable by said filler.

DAVID H. FRIEND. 

